Killing of 7 wolves in northeast Washington cost $77,000

A wolf pack in northeast Washington was wiped out after preying on cattle.Joany Carlin, The Oregonian

The state Fish and Wildlife Department spent nearly $77,000 to kill seven wolves in a pack that had been preying on cattle in Stevens County in northeast Washington.

Only one wolf was killed in a 39-day ground hunt that cost nearly $55,000. The other six wolves were killed in a four-day period in September using a helicopter and a marksman that cost $22,000.

The Spokesman-Review reports the cost was disclosed in a letter the Department of Fish and Wildlife sent to state Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, chairman of the legislative committee overseeing the department.

Ranker has criticized the decision to kill the Wedge Pack and is planning a legislative hearing next year.